I sort of just ‘fell’ into the disability industry. I was 17 years old and wanted to help people but I didn’t know how. TAFE recommended I commence my Certificate III in Disability Welfare and see where I went to from there.

It wasn’t long before I started working in group homes and day programs. I was even lucky enough to represent the industry at Canberra House and meet with John Howard (PM) for Disability Awareness Week. At the time, I was one of the youngest people in the field and was able to take some residents from the Group Home for a BBQ on the lawns. It was an amazing day.

When the company I worked for lost its funding, staff were made redundant. It was such a shock for us all and I didn’t think I could stay in the industry any longer. Instead, I commenced work at the local hospital. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with a mental illness in 2005 that I experienced just what it is like to be a person requiring care. I realised that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, but more so, I wanted to support people to choose the kind of lives they wanted to live. The House With No Steps (HWNS) gave me a chance to do just that!

I have been working for the company for 3 years in a group home on the Central Coast. HWNS are flexible with my working hours to suit my young children and are always supportive of me to further my skills. I work alongside like minded people who all share the same goal, to enhance the lives of people with a disability.

Recently I have had the opportunity to speak directly to over 300 staff and supported employees within the HWNS to find out what makes them passionate about their jobs and where we see our organisation in the future. It’s all a part of the House With No Steps moving forward and evolving to give the best service delivery we can. I am so fortunate to be a part of this process.

I know I will always work in the care industry. The lessons you learn in this industry are the ones you won’t find anywhere else. The people I support all have amazing stories to share. Mostly, I just love to put on smile on a persons face, and believe me – I get to smile every day too!